- The problem
- On certain motorcycles, the rear fender strut attaching bolts can fail allowing the rear fender to detach from the motorcycle.
- The risk
- This could occur without prior warning and could result in an injury or a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will remove existing strut bolts and replace with higher tensile strength attaching bolts and updated washers. Higher torque values will be observed when installing the replacement fasteners. The recall began on january 21, 2008. Owners may contact big dog at 316-267-9121.
Vehicle safety record
2005 Bigdog Chopper Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2005 Bigdog Chopper with NHTSA, most often about the body, doors & structure (1) and the electrical system (1). It is covered by 7 recalls, the latest in December 2007 for the body. For comparison, the 2004 has 7 and the 2006 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Chopper year, for its age
#314 most complained-about 2005 vehicle
- Complaints
- 3
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2005 Bigdog Chopper problems
Share of all 3 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2005 Bigdog Chopper recalls 7
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- On certain motorcycles, the long pivot bolt may bend or break during normal operation of the motorcycle.
- The risk
- This could potentially cause the rear fender to abrade against the rear tire while the motorcycle is being driven. This condition could occur without any prior warning and could result in a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the long pivot bolt and, if necessary, straighten the rear frame side panel. The short left side pivot bolt and pivot shaft may also be replaced free of charge. The recall began on november 1, 2006. Owners may contact big dog at 316-267-9121.
- The problem
- On certain motorcycles, the electronic harness control (ehc) module can fail resulting in a total shut down of the vehicle's electronic power.
- The risk
- This condition could occur without any prior warning and could result in a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the ehc modules free of charge. The recall began on september 19, 2006. Owners may contact big dog at 316-267-9121.
- The problem
- On certain motorcycles, the ignition modules are oriented within the battery tray in a way that makes the ignition module susceptible to vibration.
- The risk
- This susceptibility to vibration may contribute to a stalling condition that could occur without any prior warning and result in a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a new ignition module mounting system free of charge. The recall began on august 25, 2006. Owners may contact big dog at 316-267-9121.
- The problem
- On certain motorcycles, the kickstand spring may stretch and detach from the mounting bracket or the kickstand.
- The risk
- This will allow the kickstand to deploy into the extended position and cause a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a new kickstand spring free of charge. The recall began on february 17, 2006. Owners may contact big dog at 316-267-9121.
- The problem
- On certain motorcycles, the rear wheel hub bolts could loosen and back out allowing the hub and brake rotor to detach from the wheel with an associated loss of stopping power.
- The risk
- This condition could occur without any prior warning and could result in a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will remove, clean and reattach the rear hub bolts free of charge. The recall began on october 14, 2005. Owners may contact big dog at 1-312-267-9121.
- The problem
- On certain motorcycles, the primary drive sprocket nut may back off the engine main shaft.
- The risk
- This could cause the primary drive to lock up and cause a crash. This condition could occur without any prior warning.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the drive sprocket nut free of charge. The recall began on may 13, 2005. Owners may contact big dog at 316-267-9121.
What owners say
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3 complaints about the 2005 Bigdog Chopper
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 big dog chopper. The contact has had six life threatening recalls consisting of the wheel hub nut, computer harness, swing arm pendent, ignition relay, kick stand spring, and voltage regulator. He received recall notices for all six recalls and the vehicle is currently in the shop being repaired. He stated that the manufacturer has failed to rectify the failures and has offered no assistance. The powertrain was unknown. The failure mileage was 1,500 and current mileage was 4,500.
Dt*: the contact stated the motorcycle seems as if it attempted to start itself after the motorcycle became wet. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who changed the gaskets and greased the connections to stop the water from shorting out the electrical system. The manufacturer has been alerted.
Dt*: the contact stated the speedometer intermittently provides an incorrect reading. The motorcycle was seen by a dealer. They determined the magnetic sensor above the transmission interferes with the speedometer which results in the incorrect reading. The dealer cleaned the magnetic strip, but the problem returned.
Bigdog Chopper: every year compared
All Chopper years2005 Bigdog Chopper vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Bigdog Chopper | 3 | 7 | C | |
| 2005 Bigdog Pitbull | 4 | 5 | F | Compare |
| 2005 Bigdog Ridgeback | 2 | 6 | D | Compare |
| 2005 Bigdog Mastiff | 1 | 8 | F | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2005 Bigdog Chopper
Does the 2005 Bigdog Chopper have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2005 Bigdog Chopper: body (December 2007); structure (October 2006); electrical system (August 2006); module (August 2006) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Bigdog Chopper?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the body, doors & structure (1), electrical system (1), wheels & tires (1).
How many complaints has the 2005 Bigdog Chopper had?
3 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 6, 2006 and the latest on December 31, 2007. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2005 Bigdog Chopper a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 47 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Bigdog Chopper year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Bigdog Chopper years have the most complaints?
2003 (11), 2004 (7), 2005 (3). See every Bigdog Chopper year compared.
What should I do if my 2005 Bigdog Chopper has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data